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Part of MKC's coverage of the 11th New York Asian Film Festival.
It’s generally a good rule of thumb to get things started with a bang, be it a film, a dinner, a concert, etc. In the case of a film festival, I’m always amazed at some of the drab films that get chosen to open events that are supposedly consecrated to the celebration of the medium. I recall the Dublin International Film Festivals of years past (I used to go to every year when I was based there), one that comes to mind was 2007 when the event opened with Jindabyne (2006), a handsome and languid arthouse circuit film from down under starring Ireland’s own Gabriel Byrne. However, despite being a good film, it was hardly the kind of work that was going to get me pumped up about cinema for a full 10-day event.
You should start as you mean to continue and as far as a festival is concerned, good does not always mean right. Looking at this year’s New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) lineup, a little grin curled up my lips as I saw Pang Ho-cheung’s Vulgaria front and center. I was lucky to catch it earlier this year at the Udine Far East Film Festival (FEFF) and while it didn’t open that event (that honour went to Sunny, another strong kick-off choice), by all accounts it brought down the house. I say that because I had to catch in the video library but boy did I wish I could have seen it with a crowd.
